ZAGREB SUMMIT ZAGREB, Nov 24 (Hina) - Parliament's House of Counties convened on Friday to discuss one single topic, the goals and intentions of today's Zagreb Summit. The session was convened at an initiative of the opposition's
Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), the party with the largest number of seats in the upper house. HDZ's Jure Buric said his party wanted negotiations with the European Union to be direct and bilateral, and objected to any regional or collective approach to the EU, particularly those which would place Croatia in a so-called Balkan region. The session was attended by 39 of 68 deputies. Besides those from HDZ, there are two of the Croatian Party of Rights, one of the Liberal Party, and one independent deputy. No deputies of the ruling six-party coalition and the Democratic Centre party attended. Buric said HDZ thought Croatia should and was prepared to contribute to efforts aimed at stabilising conditions in t
ZAGREB, Nov 24 (Hina) - Parliament's House of Counties convened on
Friday to discuss one single topic, the goals and intentions of
today's Zagreb Summit.
The session was convened at an initiative of the opposition's
Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), the party with the largest number
of seats in the upper house.
HDZ's Jure Buric said his party wanted negotiations with the
European Union to be direct and bilateral, and objected to any
regional or collective approach to the EU, particularly those which
would place Croatia in a so-called Balkan region.
The session was attended by 39 of 68 deputies. Besides those from
HDZ, there are two of the Croatian Party of Rights, one of the
Liberal Party, and one independent deputy. No deputies of the
ruling six-party coalition and the Democratic Centre party
attended.
Buric said HDZ thought Croatia should and was prepared to
contribute to efforts aimed at stabilising conditions in the
"neighbouring Balkans," but that it did not consent to being a
hostage in the region.
HDZ maintains the presence of Yugoslav representatives at the
Zagreb Summit is incomprehensible and degrading to Croatia's
citizens. The Yugoslavia led by Vojislav Kostunica does not
recognise that it led an aggressive war against Croatia and
continues to harbour war criminals, said Buric.
He also commented on criticism over the fact that the upper house
session had been convened on the day of the Zagreb Summit, which he
called the "Balkan Summit." Buric said the session should not be
feared as it was not a protest and with its clear message would help
"the world, the Summit and the people in authority in Croatia not to
damage Croatia."
Buric said the Summit's draft final declaration raised fear and
doubts, and was insulting. He in particular pointed to the part
stating that the leaders of Slovenia, Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Yugoslavia commit to signing
conventions on regional cooperation which envisage political
dialogue, a balanced regional free trade zone, and close
cooperation in justice and home affairs.
(hina) ha jn